16, 17-acetal and ketal derivatives of 6alpha, 12alpha-dihalo-16alpha, 17alpha-dihydroxy steroids of the pregnane series; and intermediates therefor



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3,053,837 16,17-ACETAL AND KETAL DERIVATIVES OF 60, IZa-DIHALO-Ma,Hot-DIHYDROXY {STEROIDS (BF THE PREGNANE SERIES; AND INTERMEDIATES THEREFUR Josef Fried, Princeton, NJL, assignor to Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Virginia N Drawing. Filed Oct. 1, 1958,5621. No. 764,495 17 Claims. (Cl. 260-239. 55)

This invention relates to, and has for its object the provisions of, a method of preparing physiologically active steroids, and to the physiologically active steroids produced thereby.

The steroids of this invention include the l6a,l7a-acetal and ketal derivatives of l6a,l7a-dihydroxy steroids and ketones or aldehydes, and more particularly steroids of the general formula CHzZ 1 wherein the 1,2-position is saturated or double-bonded; R is hydrogen, R is B-hydroxy or together R and R is keto; X is halogen (i.e. fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo); Y is hydrogen or methyl; Y is halogen (preferably chloro or fluoro); Z is hydrogen, hydroxy or acyloxy (particularly the acyloXy radical of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid of less than ten carbon atoms); and P and Q are hydrogen, lower alkyl, halogenated lower alkyl, monocyclic cycloalkyl, monocyclic aryl, monocyclic aryl lower alkyl, monocyclic heterocycl-ic, or monocyclic heterocyclic alkyl; or together with the carbon atom to which they are joined P and Q is cycloalkyl or monocyclic heterocyclic.

The compounds of this invention are prepared, in accordance with one process of this invention, by interactwherein R, R, X, and Y are as hereinbefore defined; and Z is hydrogen or hydroxy with a mono or dihydric alcohol, such as a lower alkanol or a lower alkanediol, as exemplified by ethanol, propanol, ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, to yield the corresponding 3,20bis-ketal derivatives of the formula X l I i wherein R, R, X, Y, and Z are as hereinbefore defined, and R O-(lower alkylene)-,O or two lower alkoxy radicals. The ketalization reaction is preferably conducted in the presence of a strong acid such as p-toluenesulfonic acid.

The 3,20-bisketals thus formed are then reacted with a peracid, such as perbenzoic acid or peracetic acid, to yield the new 5a,6o-epoxy derivatives of this invention having the formula X 7/ a ---on a o J I on if wherein R, R, R", X, Y, Y, and Z are as hereinbefore defined. The reaction is preferably conducted in an organic solvent for both the steroid and hydrogen halide or boron trifluoride reactant at any normal temperature such as-ambient-temperature.

If the reaction is carried out employing an aqueous solution of the hydrogen halide, that is a hydrohalic acid, the ketal groups are hydrolyzed to yield the 3,20-diketo- A -pregnene derivatives, new compounds of the formula wherein R, R, defined.

The 5ot-hydroxy-6p-halo derivatives are then treated with a strong acid, such as perchloric acid or hydrochloric acid, in glacial acetic acid, to dehydrate the steroid and to invert the 6fi-ha1o group (with resulting hydrolysis of the ketal groups, if not previously accomplished),

X, Y, Y and Z are as hereinbefore n 8.9 thereby yielding the desired 6whale-3,ZO-diketo-M-pregnene derivatives of this invention having the formula X' :0 R IMOH WU or Nocardia auranlia (as described in the application of Kroll et al., Serial No. 660,748, filed May 22, 1957, and now abandoned). As an alternative process, the steroids can be l-dehydrogenated after 16-hydroxylation, as more fully described hereinafter. Furthermore, if a 2l-ester is desired, the 2l-hydroxy steroid formed can be esterified in the usual manner by treatment with an acyl halide or acid anhydride of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid of less than ten carbon atoms as more fully described hereinafter.

The resulting 6u-halo steroids are then l6-hydroxylated by subjecting them to the oxygenating action of a microorganism such as Streptomyces raseochromogenus in accordance with the method described in the US. application of Josef Fried et al., Serial No. 739,943, filed June 4, 1958, now Patent No. 2,855,343, granted October 7, 1958 thereby yielding the intermediates of this invention having the general formula CH Z' Y! wherein the 1,2-position is saturated or double-bonded; and R, R, X, Y, Y and Z are as hereinbefore defined.

These intermediates are then reacted with an aldehyde or ketone of the formula:

wherein P and Q are as hereinbefore defined, and the resultant acetal or ketal derivative is recovered. The reaction is preferably carried out by treating a suspension or solution of the steroid in the aldehyde or ketone with or without an inert organic solvent (e.g. dioxane) with an acid catalyst (e.g. perchloric acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid and hydrochloric acid) neutralizing the acid and recovering the acetal or ketal derivative formed.

Among the suitable starting steroids utilizable in the process of this invention may be mentioned, 12a-halohydrocortisone (e.g. 12a-fluorohydrocortisone and 12% chlorohydrocortisone), 12a-halocortisone (e.g. 12a-fluorocoritsone and IZa-ChlOIOCOl'iiSOIlG), 12a-halo-1lfl,17a-dihydroxyprogesterone (e.g. 12u-fluoro-115,17a-dihydroxyprogesterone), 12a-halo-17a-hydroxy-1l-ketoprogesterone (e.g. 12a-chloro-17a-hydroxy-1l-ketoprogesterone), 2o:- methyl 12oz halohydrocortisone (e.g. 2a methyl-12w fluorohydrocortisone), Za-methyl-12a-halocortisone, cmethyl-l15,l7u-dihydroxyprogesterone, and Zen-methyl- 17 a-hydroxy-l l-keto pro gesterone.

Suitable aldehyde and ketone reactants include aldehydes such as paraldehyde, propanal, chloral hydrate, trifluoroacetaldehyde hemiacetal, heptafiuorobutanal ethyl hemiacetal and hexanal; di(lower alkyl)ketones, such as acetone, diethylketone, dibutylketone, methylethylketone, and rnethylisobutylketone; halogenated di(lower alkyl) ketones, such as 1,1,1-trifluoro acetone; mono and dicycloalkyl ketones, such as cyclohexylmethyl ketone and dicyclopropyl ketone; cycloalkanones, such as cyclobutanone, cyclopentanone, cyclohexanone, suberone, and cyclodexanone; monocyclic aromatic aldehydes such as benzaldehyde, halobenzaldehydes (e.g. p-chlorobenzaldehyde and p-fluorobenzaldehyde), lower alkoxy benzaldehydes (e.g. o-anisaldehyde), di(lower alkoxy) benzaldehydes (e.g. veratraldehyde), hydroxybenzaldehydes (e.g. salicylaldehyde), dihydroxybenzaldehydes (e.g. resorcylaldehyde), lower alkyl benzaldehydes (e.g. m-tolualdehyde and p-ethylbenzaldehyde), di(lower alkyl) benzaldehydes (e.g. o,p dimethylbenzaldehyde), nitrobenzaldehydes, acylamidobenzaldehydes (e.g. N acetyl anthranilaldehyde), and cyanobenzaldehydes; monocyclic aromatic lower alkanals, such as phenylacetaldehyde, a-phenylpropionaldehyde, fi-phenylpropionaldehyde, 'y-phenylbutyraldehyde, and aromatically-substituted halo, lower alkoxy, hydroxy, lower alkyl, nitro, acylamido and cyano derivatives thereof; monocyclic heterocyclic aldehydes, such as picolinaldehydes, furfural, thiophene carbonals, and halo, lower alkoxy, hydroxy, lower alkyl, nitro, and cyano derivatives thereof; monocyclic heterocyclic lower alkanals; monocyclic aromatic lower alkyl ketones, such as acetophenone, propiophenone, butyrophenone, valerophenone, isocaprophenone, halophenyl lower alkyl ketones (e.g. p-chloroacetophenone and p-chloropropiophenone), (lower alkoxy)phenyl lower alkyl ketones (e.g. p-anisyl methyl ketone), di(lower alkoxy) phenyl lower alkyl ketones, hydroxyphenyl loweralkyl ketones, dihydroxyphenyl lower alkyl ketones (e.g. resacetophenone), (lower alkyl)phenyl lower alkyl ketones (e.g. methyl p-tolyl ketone), di(lower alkyl)phenyl lower alkyl ketones (o,p-Xylyl methyl ketone) nitrophenyl lower alkyl ketones (e.g. p-nitroacetophenone), acylamidophenyl lower alkyl ketones (e.g. acetylanilines), and cyanophenyl lower alkyl ketones; benzophenone, and mono or his substituted halo, lower alkoxy, hydroxy, lower alkyl, nitro, acylamido and cyano derivatives thereof; monocyclic aromatic lower alkanones, such as 1-phenyl-3-butanone and l-phenyl-4- pentanone, and aromatically substituted derivatives thereof; monocyclic heterocyclic ketones, such as 2-acetylfuran, 2-benzoyl furan, and 2-acetylthiophene; monocyclic heterocyclic lower alkanones; and monocyclic heterocyclic ketones, such as alloxan.

If a 21-ester derivative is the desired product, the corresponding 21-hydroxy steroid can be acylated in the usual manner. Thus, to prepare the preferred 21-acyloxy derivatives wherein the acyl radical corresponds to the acyl radical of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid of less than ten carbon atoms, either the acyl halide or acid anhydride of a lower alkanoic acid (e.g. acetic, propionic and tertbutyric acid), a monocyclic aryl carboxylic acid (eg benzoic and toluic acid), a monocyclic aryl lower alkanoic acid (eg. phenacetic and fl-phenylpropionic acid), a lower alkanoic acid, a cycloalkanecarboxylic acid, or a cycloalkenecarboxylic acid is employed as a reactant.

All of the compounds of this invention are physiologi cally-active substances which possess glucocorticoid and anti-inflammatory activity and hence can be used in lieu of known glucocorticoids such as hydrocortisone and cortisome in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, in the treatment of dermatoses, for which purpose they can be administered in the same manner as hydrocortisone, for example, the dosage being adjusted for the relative potency of the particular steroid.

The following examples are illustrative of the invention (all temperatures being in Centigrade):

5 EXAMPLE 1 16a,17ot Isopropyliaene 60c Flaoro 12a ChlrO-16OL- Hydroxy Cortisone (a) Preparation of J2a-chlorocortisone-3,ZO-bis-ethylene keml.-A mixture of 200 mg. of IZa-chlorocortisone, 4 ml. of ethylene glycol, 18 ml. of benzene and 15 mg. of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate is refluxed for 5 hours with the aid of a Dean-Stark water separator. After cooling of the reaction mixture, dilute sodium bicarbonate solution is added and the layers are separated. The aqueous phase is extracted with chloroform, the organic phases combined, washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residue represents the 3,20-diethylene ketal of lla-chlorocortisone and is used without further purification in step b.

(1)) Preparation of 5a,6ot oxido 12a chlorohydrocortisone-3,20-bis-elhylene ketal.To a solution of 1 gram of 12a-chlorocortisone-3,20-bis-ethylene ketal in 20 ml. of chloroform is added at 0 an ice-cold solution of 0.4 g. of perbenzoic acid in ml. of chloroform. After 18 hours in the refrigerator the mixture is Washed with dilute sodium bicarbonate solution and water, dnied over sodium sulfate and the chloroform evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residual 5a,6ot-epoxide is recrystallized from acetonehexane.

(c) Preparation of 6,6-fluor0-l2oc-chloropregnane-fiu, 17m,21-triol-3,20-dione 3,20-bisethylene ketaZ.-To a solution of 500 mg. of the 50;6a-0Xid0 ketal obtained in step b in 60 ml. of dry benzene and 15 ml. of absolute ether is added 1 ml. of freshly redistilled boron trifluoride etherate and the mixture allowed to stand at room temperature for three hours. After thorough washing with Water the organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and the solvents removed in vacuo. Recrystallization from acetone-hexane gives the pure fluorohydrin.

(d) Preparation of 6a-fluoro-12a-chlorocortisone-TO a solution of 500 mg. of the fluorohydrin obtained in step c in 25 ml. of glacial acetic acid is added 3 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid, and the resulting solution allowed to remain at room temperature overnight. The mixture is diluted with water and chloroform, the chloroform solution washed with water, dilute sodium bicarbonate and again with water, dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent removed in vacuo. The residual 6ot-fluoro- IZa-chlorocortisone is recrystallized from alcohol.

(e) Preparation 0] 6ot-flaoro-12a-chlor0-16ot-hydroxycortisone.-Microbiolo-gical hydroxylation of 6a-fluoro- IZa-chlorocortisone with Streptomyces roseochromogenas (Waksman No. 3689) as described in Serial No. 739,943, furnishes 6ot-f1uoro-12oc-chloro-16a-hydroxycortisone.

(f) Preparation of 16a,17a-isopropylidene 6oc-flll0l0- 1 2u-chloro-1 6a-hydroxycorrisone.-To a suspension of 500 mg. of 6a-fluoro-12a-chloro-l6ot-hydroxycortisone in 75 ml. of acetone is added 0.05 ml. of 72% perchloric acid and the mixture agitated at room temperature for three hours. During this period the crystals gradually dissolve and the clear solution is neutralized with dilute bicarbonate and the acetone removed in vacuo. The resulting crystalline suspension is filtered and the crystals washed with water. The dried material is recrystallized from 95% alcohol to give the pure acetonide.

EXAMPLE 2 16OL,1706 Isopropylidene 6a,]2a Dichl0r0-16a-Hydroxycortisone Following the procedure of Example 1, but substituting 5 ml. of 0.5 N hydrogen chloride in 50 ml. of chloroform for the boron trifluoride etherate benzene and ether in step 0, there is obtained 16a,17a-isopropylidene 6vt,12adichloro- 1 6ot-hydroxycortisone.

EXAMPLE 3 16a,17a-Isopropylidene 60:,12ot-Difllt0lO-16vc-Hydr0xycortisone 6 5200 mg. of 12a-fluorocortisone for the 12u-chlorocortisone in step a, there is obtained 16a,17a-isopropylidene 6a,12udifluoro-l6a-hydroxycortisone.

EXAMPLE 4 16 7 ot-Isopro pylz'dene 6 a-Flnoro-l 2 a-Chloro-l 6a- Hy droxy cortisone 2 1 -A cetate A solution of 50 mg. of 6aluoro-l2a-chloro-l6ahydroxycortisone 16u,17a-acetonide in 1 ml. of pyridine and 1 ml. of acetic anhydride is allowed to stand at room temperature for 18 hours. Removal of the reagents in vacuo gives a crystalline residue which after crystallization from acetone-hexane gives the pure acetate.

EXAMPLE 5 16ot,17a (2 Batylidene) 60c Fluoro IZOL-ChlOl'O-16OL- H ydroxycortisone tive.

EXAMPLE 6 16a,17ot (4' Methyl 2' Pentyliden 6ot-FlLtOIO-12oc- Chloro 1 o t-Hydroxycortisone To a suspension of 100 mg. of 6ot-fillOIO-l2a-Cl1l0l0- 1'6a-hydroxycortisone in 15 ml. of methylisobutylketone is added 0.05 ml. of 72% perchloric acid. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 6 hours and the resulting solution extracted with dilute sodium bicarbonate solution, Washed with water, the organic phase dried over sodum sulfate and the solvent evaporated in vacuo. Recrystallization of the resulting crystals from acetonehexane gives the pure isohexylidene derivative.

EXAMPLE 7 16ot,17u Cyclohexylidene 60c Fluoro 12a Chloro- 16a Hydroxycortisone A suspension of 200 mg. -of 6zx-flu010-12oc-ChlOIO-16othydroxycortisone in 15 m1. of redistilled cyclohexanone is treated for two hours .as described in Example 6.

EXAMPLE 8 16w] 7a (3 '-Pentylidene) 6ot-Fluor0-12ot-C-hloro- 1 6 oz-H ydroxycortisone A suspension of 200 mg. of 6a-fluor0-12a-chloro-16m- 'hydroxycortisone 'm 30 m1. of diethylketone is treated for four hours as described in Example 6.

EXAMPLE 9 16a,17oc-Ethylidene 6ot-Fllt0l0-12ot-Chl0i0-160c- Hydroxycortisone To a suspension of 200 mg. 6oc-flllO1'0-l2oz-Chl0IO-16othydroxycortisone in 15 ml. of freshly distilledparaldehyde is added 0.05 ml. of 72% perchloric acid and the mixture agitated for 3.5 hours at room temperature. The result ing solution is extracted with dilute bicarbonate and water, dried, and the excess paraldehyde removed in vacuo. The residual material represents 1606,1706-6thY1ld3I16 Got-fluoro- IZa-ChlOIO-lfia-hYdIOXYCOItiSOIlB.

EXAMPLE 10 16a,I7a-Is0propylidene 6ot-Fluoro-12a-Chloro- 16a-Hydroxyprednisone (a) Preparation of 6a-fluoro-12a-chloro-16a-hydroxyprednisone.6u-fluoro-12a chloro16a-hydroxycortisone is dehydrogenated in a concentration of 200 ug./ml. with Following the procedure of Example 1, but substituting 75 Nocardia aarantia following the procedure in the appli- 7 cation of Kroll et al., Serial No. 660,748, filed May 22, 1957, thereby yielding 6a-fluoro-12a-chloro-l6a-hydroxyprednisone.

(b) Preparation of 16a,17ot-is0propylidene 6a-fluoro- 12 a-clzloro-l 6a-hydr0xyprednisone.Following the procedure of Example 1, step 1, but substituting 500 mg. of 6afluoro-l2a-chloro 16a hydroxyprednisone for the 6mfluoro-12a-chloro-l6a-hydroxycortisone, there is obtained 16a,17a-isopropylidene fiac-flllOl'O-lZoc-chlOIO-lGut-hYdIOXY- prednisone.

EXAMPLE 11 I6oz,1 7a-Isopr0pylia'ene 6a-Fluoro-12oi-Ch Zoro- 1 113,] 6a,] 7a-Tri hydroxy progesterone Following the procedure of Example 1, but substituting 200 mg. of 12a-chloro-1113,17m-dihydroxyprogesterone for the l2a-chlorocortisone in step a, there is obtained 16oc,17a-isopropylidene 6a-fluor0-l2a-chloro-l1fi,16a,17u trihydroxyprogesterone.

EXAMPLE 12 Following the procedure of Example 1, but substituting 200 mg. of 12a-fluoro-17a-hydroxy-1l-ketoprogesterone for the lZu-ChlOI'OCOItiSOIIfi in step a, there is obtained l6a,l7a-isopropylidene 611,120: difiuoro l6a,17a dihydroxy-l l-ketoprogesterone.

EXAMPLE 13 16:1,] 7a-Is0pr0pylidene 6a,]2a-Diflnoro-16a- Hydroxyprednisolone (a) Preparation of 5a,6a-oxido-12a-fluorohydrocortisone 3,20-bisethylene ketal.To a solution of 750 mg. of l2a-fluorohydrocortisone 3,20-bis-ethylene ketal (prepared by the method of Example 1, step a) in 50 m1. of chloroform is added at 7.5 ml. of 0.28 N perbenzoic acid. After 18 hours at 4 the mixture is washed successively with sodium iodide, sodium bicarbonate, dilute sodium sulfite and water, the chloroform solution dried and the solvent removed in vacuo. The residual 50,6aepoxide is recrystallized from acetone-hexane.

(b) Preparation of 65,120: difluoropregnane 505115, 17a,2l-tetr0l-3,20-di0ne 3,20-bis-ethylene ketal.To a solution of 500 mg. of u,6a-epoxy-12a-fluorohydrocortisone 3,20-bisethylene ketal in 60 ml. of dry benzene and 15 ml. of absolute ether is added 1 ml. of freshly redistilled boron trifluoride etherate and the solution allowed to remain at room temperature for three hours. After thorough washing with water the organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and the solvents removed in vacuo. Recrystallization from acetone-hexane gives the pure fiuorohydrin.

(0) Preparation of 601,12a-difluoro-hydrocortisone.- To a solution of 500 mg. of 6B,12a-difiuoro-pregnane-5a- 11,8,17a,21-tetrol-3,20-dione 3,20-bis-ethylene ketal in 25 ml. of glacial acetic acid is added 3 ml. of concentrated 'hydrochloric acid, and the resulting solution allowed to remain at room temperature for 18 hours. The mixture is diluted with water and chloroform, the chloroform solution washed with water, dilute sodium bicarbonate and again with water, dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent evaporated in vacuo. The resulting 6a,12a-difiuoro-hydrocortisone is recrystallized from acetonehexane.

(d) Preparation of 6a,12a-diflu0ro-16a-hydr0xyhydroc0r!isone.6a,IZa-difiUOIO-hYdIOCOrtisOnC is fermented with Streptomyces roseoclzromogenus (Waksman No. 3689) following the procedure in Serial No. 739,943. The resultant 6oz,IZot-(llflIlOIO-lGcx-hYdlOXYhYdIOCOI'tiSOHC is extracted from the filtered broth with methylisobutyl ketone and recovered from the latter solvent by concentration and filtration of the resulting crystalline material.

(e) Preparation of 611-1 Za-difluoro-l 6a-hydroxyprednisolone.6a,1Za-difiuoro-16a-hydroxyhydrocortisone is dehydrogenated in a concentration of 200 ug./ml. with Nocardia anrantia following the procedure in the application Serial No. 660,748, thereby yielding 6u,12a-difluoro- 16a-hydroxyprednisolone.

(f) Preparation of l6a,17a-is0pr0pylidene 6a,12a-difluoro-loaJrydroxyprednisolone.-Following the procedure of Example 1, step f, but substituting 500 mg. of 6a,IZa-dlflllOrO-lGa-hYdIOXYPI'CdDiSOlOHB for the steroid in the example, there is obtained l6a,l7a-isopropylidene 6m,IZa-diflUOIO-l6oc-hYdIOXYP16dniSOlOI16.

EXAMPLE 14 16a,17ot-ISOpr0pylidBI18 611,1 Za-Difluorn-Za-M ethyl- 16a-Hydroxyhydrocortisone (a) Preparation of12a-flnoro-2a-methylhydrocortisone 3,20-bis-ethylene ketaL-A mixture of 2 g. of l2a-fluoro- 2a-methylhydrocortisone, 40 mg. of p-toluenesulfonic acid, 32 ml. of ethylene glycol and 60 ml. of benzene is heated at reflux with a Dean-Stark separator for six hours. After cooling, the mixture is neutralized with dilute sodium bicarbonate, the layers separated and the aqueous phase extracted with chloroform. The combined benzene and chloroform phases are washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and the solvents evaporated in vacuo. The residual diketal is recrystallized from acetone.

(b) Preparation of 16a,17a-isopropylidene 6a,12a-diflnoro-2a-methyl 16:1 hydroxyllydr0c0rtisone.Following the procedures in steps a, b, c, d, and f of Example 13, but substituting 800 mg. of 12a-flu0ro-2a-methylhydrocortisone 3,20-bis-ethylene ketal for the 12a-fluorohydrocortisone 3,20-bis-ethylene ketal in step a, there is obtained 16a,17a-isopropylidene 611,12a-difiuoro-2a-methyl- 16a-hydroxyhydrocortisone.

EXAMPLE 15 Following the procedures in step e and f of Example 13, but substituting 6a,12oi-difluoro-16a,17a-dihydroxyprogesterone for the 6a,IZa-difluoro-lfiu-hydroxyhydrocortisone in step e, there is obtained 6a,l7a-isopropylidene 6a,12a difluoro A -pregnadiene-l6a,17a-diol-3,11,20- trione.

EXAMPLE 16 (a) Preparation of 6a,12a-diflnor0-16a-Izydr0xyprednis0l ne acetonide 12-mesylate.--To a solution of 1.5 g. of 6a,l2a-difiuoro-16a-hydroxyprednisolone acetonide in 15 ml. of anhydrous pyridine is added at 0 1.5 ml. of methanesulfonyl chloride. After 2.5 hours in the refrigerator ice water is added and the resulting precipitate filtered off and washed thoroughly with Water. The material is dried and used without further purification in the reduction step.

(11) Preparati n of 16a,17a-is0pr0pylidene 6a,12a-difluoro A pregnadiene 11/3,16a,17a triol 3,20- di0ne.--A solution of 500 mg. of the above mesylate and 1.5 gm. sodium iodide in 50 ml. of glacial acetic acid is refluxed for 4 hours. The solution is concentrated in vacuo, water is added and the steroids extracted with chloroform. The chloroform extract is washed with sodium bicarbonate solution and water, dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residual acetonide is recrystallized from acet0nehexane.

Replacing the steroid reactant in Example 16 by 611,120:- difluoro A pregnene 1l 3,16rx,17o:,2l tetrol 3,20- dione acetonide there is obtained the corresponding A pregnene derivative.

9 EXAMPLE 17 1 6 a,] 7 a-Chloral Derivative 0f 6u-Flu0r0 12a-Chl0r0- 16a-Hydr0xycortisone A suspension of 500 mg. of 6oc-fll1010-12ot-Chl01O-l60chydroxycortisone and 4 gm. of chloral hydrate in 20 ml. of dioxane is agitated at room temperature for 24 hours. The mixture is filtered, neutralized with aqueous sodium bicarbonate and extracted with chloroform. The chloroform-dioxane phase is dried over sodium sulfate, the solvent removed in vacuo and the residual chloral derivative crystallized from methanol.

EXAMPLE .18

Following the procedure of Example 17 but replacing the chloral hydrate used in that example by a mixture of ml. of dioxane and 5 m1. of 1,1,1-trifluoroacetone there is obtained the trifluoroisopropylidene derivative.

EXAMPLE 19 Acetophenone Derivative 0f 6ot-Fluor0-12a-Chl0r0- 16oc-Hydr0xyc0rtis0ne EXAMPLE 20 Acetophenone Derivative of 6a-Flu0r0-12a-ChZora-116a- Hydroxycortisone 21 -Acetate A solution of 50 mg. of the acetophenone derivative of 6a-fluoro-12a-chloro-16a-hydroxycortisone in 1 ml. of pyridine and 1 ml. of acetic anhydride is allowed to stand at room temperature for 18 hours. Removal of the reagents in vacuo gives a crystalline residue which after crystallization from acetone-hexane gives the pure acetate.

Substitution of 6a,l2a-difluoro-A -pregnadiene-16a, 17a,21-triol-3,l1,20-trione for the steroid in the procedures of Examples 19 and 20, yield the corresponding A -pregnadiene derivative.

EXAMPLE 21 Acetophenone Derivative of 60,12a-Diflaoro-A -Pregnene- 1 1,6316 711,21 -Tetr0l-3,20-Di0ne A suspension of 200 mg. of 6a,12a-difluoro-A -pregnene-l1,8,16a,170:,21-tetrol-3,20-dione in 30 ml. of acetophenone is stirred at room temperature with 100 mgeof p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate for 18 hours. The clear solution is neutralized with sodium bicarbonate solution and the acetone evaporated in vacuo. The resulting crystals are filtered and dried in vacuo. Recrystallization from acetone-hexane gives the pure acetophenone deriva tive.

Reaction of 6a,12a-difluoro-A -pregnadiene-l15,16, 170c,21-t6t101-3,20-dl0116 with acetophenone gives the corresponding A -pregnadiene derivative.

EXAMPLE 22 Benzaldehyde Derivative of 6a,12a-Diflu0r0-16a- H ydroxyhydr cortisone To a suspension of 100 mg. of 6a,12a-difluoro-16uhydroxyhydrocortisone in ml. of benzaldehyde is added 0.05 ml. of 72% perchloric acid. The mixture is treated 10 as in Example 19 and results in the formation of the benzaldehyde derivative of 60c,IZa-diflLlOtO-lfiwhYdlOXY- hydrocortisone.

If 6m,IZa-difluoro-l6a-hydroxycortisone is substituted for the 61x,l2oi-difluoro-l6a-hydroxyhydrocortisone in the procedure of Example 22 the benzaldehyde derivative of 60:,12a-diflIlOIO-lGu-hYdIOXYCOItiSOIIC is obtained.

EXAMPLE 23 Furfural Derivative of 6a,.l2m-Diflu0r0-1-60t- H ydroxyprednisolone Treatment of 6a,12u-difluoro-l6a-hydroxyprednisolone with furfural in the presence of .perchloric acid according to the procedure of Example 19 results in the formation of the furfural derivative of 6a,12a-difluoro-16a-hydroxyprednisolone.

EXAMPLE 24 1 6 0a,] 7 zx-A lloxan Derivative of '60t-FlLl0r0-12DL-chlOrO- 16u-Hydr0c0rtis0ne A suspension of 0.5 gm. 6a-fluoro-l2a-chloro-l6a-hydroxyhydrocortisone and 2.5 gm. of alloxan in 20 ml. of dioxane and 0.15 ml. of 72% perchloric acid is agitated at room temperature for 24 hours. The mixture is neutralized with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and after the addition of 20 ml. of water extracted with chloro form. The chloroform extract is dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residual alloxan derivative is recrystallized from alcohol.

EXAMPLE 25 Dicycl propyl Ketone Derivative of 6ot-Fla0r0-12a- Ch lam-1 6 a-H y droxy cortisone Following the procedure of Example 18, but replacing the trifiuoroacetone by dicyclopropyl ketone, there is obtained the dicyclopropyl derivative of 6a-fluoro-12achl0ro-l 6a-hYdIOXYGOItiSOI16.

The steroids of this invention can also be prepared by an alternative method of this invention which comprises the interaction of a steroid of the general formula wherein R, R, X, Y, Z, P and Q are as hereinbefore defined, with a mono or dihydric alcohol, such as a lower alkanol or a lower alkanediol, such as ethanol, propanol, ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, to yield the corresponding 3-mono-ketal derivatives of the formula wherein, R, R, X, Y, Z, P and Q are as hereinbefore defined, and R" is O-(lower a1ky1ene)-O or two lower alkoxy radicals. The ketalization reaction is preferably conducted in the presence of a strong acid such as ptoluenesulfonic acid.

The 3-monoketals thus formed are then reacted with a peracid, such as perbenzoic acid or peracetic acid, to yield 11 12 the new 50,6a-8POXY derivatives of this invention having perature) in an organic solvent for both the steroid and the formula hydrogen halide reactant. If the reaction is carried out employing an aqueous solution of the hydrogen halide, that is a hydrohalic acid, the 3-ketal group is hydrolyzed 5 yielding the 3-keto-A -pregnene derivative.

The 5a-hydroxy-6B-halo derivatives are then treated with a strong acid, such as perchloric acid or hydrocloric acid, in glacial acetic acid, to dehydrate the steroid and to invert the 6B-halo group (with resulting hydrolysis of 10 the 3-keta1 group, if not previously accomplished), thereby yielding the desired 6a-ha1o-3-keto-A -pregnene derivatives.

If a. A -pregnadiene is desired as the product, the A -pregnene can then be subjected to microbial l-dehydro- 15 genation by using for example, Nocardia auranlia, as de scribed in the application of Kroll et al., Serial No. wherein R, P and Q are as herei 660,748, issued May 22, 1957. Furthermore, if a 2l-ester defined. is desired and a free ZI-hydroxy steriod is used as the re- The -epoxy derivatives are then treated with a hyactant, the 21-hydroxy steroid formed can be esterified in drogen hahde (1.e. hydrogen fluorid hydrogen Chloride, 20 the usual manner by treatment with an acyl halide or acid hydrogen bromide and hydrogen iodide) or boron trianhydride of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid of less than fluoride, to yield the corresponding new 6f3-halo-5a-hyten carbon atoms as described hereinbefore. droxy derivatives of this invention. The reaction is pref- The series of steps in the process of this invention can erably conducted in the cold (i.e. below or at room ternbe represented by the following equations;

GH Z CHZZ 1; P X +=0 R -----o R --0 P o R 0 Q R 0 O RI! CHZZ CHZZ X 5:0 P X 5:0 P R R 0 Q R 0 RI! RI! I CHrZ 5 i= P R I R 0 Q hydrochloric acid can be used as follows. the 3-ethylene ketal is hydrolyzed.

13 The following examples illustrates the alternative process of this invention (all temperatures being in centigrade):

EXAMPLE 26 1 2a-Flu0ro-1 6 oc-H ydroxyhydrocortisone Acetonide 3-Ethylene Ketal A mixture of 2 grams of l2ot-fluoro-16a-hydroxyhydrocortisone acetonide, 40 mg. of p-toluenesulfonic acid, 16 ml. of ethylene glycol and 60 ml. of benzene is heated at reflux with a Dean-Stark separator for 6 hours. After cooling, the mixture is neutralized with dilute sodium bicarbonate, the layers are separated and'the aqueous phase extracted with chloroform. The combined benzene and chloroform phases are washed with Water, dried over sodium sulfate and the solvents evaporated in vacuo. The residual ketal is recrystallized from .acetone.

EXAMPLE 27 5 a,6a-0xido-1 Za-F luoro-J 6 OC-H ydroxyhydrocortisone Acetonide S-Elhylene Ketal To a solution of 1 gm. of l2a-fiuoro-l6a-hydroxyhydrocortisone acetonide 3-ethylene ketal in 20 ml. of chloroform is added an ice-cold solution of 0.4 gm. of Perbenzoic acid in 10 ml. of chloroform. After 18 hours at 4 the mixture is Washed with dilute sodium bicarbonate and water, dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent evaporated in vacuo. The residual epoxide is crystallized from acetone-hexane.

EXAMPLE 28 6fl-Ch lore-12aFlu0r0pnegnane-5 11,1 1 5,1 6 0a,] 70:,21 Pent0l-3,20-Di0ne Acetom'de 3-Ethylene Ketal To a solution of 500 mg. of 5a,6a-oxido-12vt-fluoro- 16a-hydroxyhydrocortisone acetonide 3-ethylene ketal in 50 ml. of ice-cold chloroform is added 7 ml. of an icecold 0.5 N solution of hydrogen chloride in chloroform. The mixture is allowed to remain at 0 for two hours, after which it is washed with dilute sodium bicarbonate solution and water. The chloroform solution is dried over 'sodium sulfate and the solvent evaporated in vacuo. The residual chlorohydrin is used in Example 29 without further purification.

EXAMPLE 29 6 u-Chloro-l Zot-FIMOIO-J 6 or-H ydroxyhydro ortisone Acetonide To a solution of 500 mg. of the chlorohydrin obtained in Example 28 in 25 ml. of glacial acetic acid is added 3 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid, and the resulting solution allowed to remain at room temperature for 18 hours. The mixture is diluted withwater and chloroform, the chloroform solution washed with water, dilute sodium bicarbonate and again with water, dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent evaporated in vacuo. The resulting 6a-chloro-l2a-fluoro-16m-hydroxyhydrocortisone acetonide is recrystallized from acetone-hexane.

EXAMPLE 30 6ot-Chl0r0-12a-Flu0r0-16a-hya'roxyprednis0l0ne Acetonide 6a chloro 'l2a-fluoro-l6a-hydroxyhydrocortisone acetonide is dehydrogenated in a concentration of 200 ug./ ml. with Nocardia aurantia, following the procedure in Serial No. 660,748.

Instead of the anhydrous hydrogen chloride used in Example 28 in the opening of the 5a,6a-epoxide, aqueous In this case EXAMPLE 31 hydroxyhydrocortisone acetonide 3-ethylene ketal in 20 ml. of dioxane is added 2 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid and the mixture allowed to stand at room temperature for two hours. Chloroform is then added and the mixture extracted with water, dilute sodium bicarbonate and again with water. The chloroform-dioxane phase is dried over sodium sulfate and the solvents removed in vacuo. The residual chlorohydrin is recrystallized from acetone-hexane.

Replacing the hydrochloric acid in Examples 28 and 31 by hydrobromic or hydroiodic acid results in the formation of the corresponding fi-bromo and 6fi-iododerivatives, which can be converted to 606-bI'OI110-120L- fluoro-l6a-hydroxyhydrocortisone acetonide and 6oc-i0d0- 12a-fluoro-16a-hydroxyhydrocortisone acetonide, respectively, by the process of Example 29.

EXAMPLE 32 To a solution of 500 mg. of 5a,6a-oxido-12a-fluorol6a-hydroxyhydrocortisone acetonide 3-ethylene ketal in 25 ml. of chloroform is added 5 ml. of 48% aqueous hydrofluoric acid and the mixture agitated at room temperature for one hour. Water and chloroform is added and the mixture neutralized with sodium bicarbonate. The chloroform layer is dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent removed in vacuo. The residual 6,8-fiuorohydrin is recrystallized from acetone-hexane.

The 6fi-fluorohydrin is converted into 60,l2oa-diflll010- 16a-hydroxyhydrocortisone acetonide as described in Example 29 for the 6B-chloro-3-ethylene ketal. Moreover it can be dehydrogenated with N. aurantia as described in Example 30 for the corresponding fizz-0111010 compound.

EXAMPLE 33 66,12u-Difluoro-Pregnane-SaJ][3,16 7oz,21Pent0l- 3,20-Di0ne Acetonide 3-Ethylene Ketal To a solution of 500 mg. of 5a,6a-oxido-l2a-fluoro-l6ahydroxyhydrocortisone acetonide 3-ethylene .ketal in 60 ml. of dry benzene and 15 ml. of absolute ether is added 1 ml. of freshly redistilled boron trifiuoride etherate and r the solution allowed to remain at room temperature for three hours. After thorough washing with Water the organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and the solvents removed in vacuo. Recrystallization from acetonehexane gives the pure 6fi-fiuorohydrin.

The processes of Examples 26 and 33 are of general applicability and may be used to convert any of the 12mhalo-M-pregnene products disclosed in my applications, Serial Nos. 677,295 and 714,047, filed August 9', 1957 and February 10, 1958, respectively, the latter now abandoned, to their corresponding 5a,6 x-oxido derivatives, and thence to the corresponding 6fl-halo-5a-hydroxy derivatives, from which the desired 6a-halo-A -pregnanes are prepared.

The invention may be variously otherwise embodied within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A compound selected from the group consisting of steroids of the general formulae and wherein R is hydrogen, R is ,B-hydroxy and together R and R is keto; X is halogen; Y is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl; Y is halogen; Z is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy and the acyloxy radical of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid of less than ten carbon atoms; P and Q are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl, halogenated lower alkyl, monocyclic cycloalkyl, monocyclic aryl, monocyclic aryl lower alkyl, monocyclic heterocyclic, and monocyclic heterocyclic lower alkyl; and together with the carbon atom to which they are joined P and Q is selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl and monocyclic heterocyclic.

2. 1611,17ot-lW61' alkylidene 6a,12a-dihalo-16ot-hydroXy-hydrocortisone.

3. 160:,170t-1OW61' alkylidene 6a,12a dihalo-16a-hydroxy-prednisolone.

4. 16a,l7a-lower haloalkylidene 6ot,l20l-dlhfilO-160t-hY- droxyprednisolone, wherein the haloalkylidene radical contains at least two carbon atoms.

5. 160;,170: lower alkylidene 6a,12a dihalo 16oz hydroxyprednisone.

6. 16a,17a-lower droxycortisone.

7. A steroid of the general formula alkylidene 6a,l2u dihalo-l6ot-hywherein R is hydrogen, R is fl-hydroxy and together R and R is keto; X is halogen; Y is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl; R" is selected from the group consisting of -O-(lower alkylene)-O- and two lower alkoxy radicals; Z is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy and the acyloxy radical of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid of less than ten carbon atoms; P and Q are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl, halogenated lower alkyl, monocyclic cycloalkyl, monocyclic aryl, monocyclic aryl lower alkyl, monocyclic heterocyclic, and monocyclic heterocyclic lower alkyl; and together with the carbon atom to which they are joined P and Q is selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl and monocyclic heterocyclic.

16 8. A process for preparing a steroid of claim 7 which comprises interacting a steroid of the general formula CHzZ wherein Y is halogen, R is hydrogen, R is fl-hydroxy and together R and R is keto; X is halogen; Y is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl; R is selected from the group consisting of -O-(lower alkylene)-O- and two lower alkoxy radicals; Z is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy and the acyloxy radical of a hydrocarbon carboXylic acid of less than ten carbon atoms; P and Q are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl, halogenated lower alkyl, monocyclic cycloalkyl, monocyclic aryl, monocyclic aryl lower alkyl, monocyclic heterocyclic, and monocyclic heterocyclic lower alkyl; and together with the carbon atom to which they are joined P and Q is selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl and monocyclic heterocyclic.

10. A steroid of the general formula wherein R is hydrogen, R is fi-hydroxy and together R and R is keto; X is halogen; Y is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl; Y is halogen, Z is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy and the acyloxy radical of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid of less than ten carbon atoms; P and Q are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl, halogenated lower alkyl, monocyclic cycloalkyl, monocyclic aryl, monocyclic aryl lower alkyl, monocyclic heterocyclic, and monocyclic heterocyclic lower alkyl; and together with the carbon atom to which they are joined P and Q is selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl and monocyclic heterocyclic.

11. A compound selected from the group consisting of steroids of the general formulae wherein R is hydrogen, R is fi-hydroxy and together R and R is keto; X is halogen; Y is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl; Y is halogen; and Z is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy and the acyloxy radical of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid of less than ten carbon atoms.

12. A process for preparing a steroid of the general wherein Y is halogen, R is hydrogen, R is fl-hydroxy and together R and R is keto, X is halogen; Y is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl; R" is selected from the group consisting of -O-(lower alkylene)-O-- and two lower alkoxy radicals; Z is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy and the acyloxy radical of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid of less than ten carbon atoms; P and Q are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl, halogenated lower alkyl, monocyclic cycloalkyl, monocyclic aryl, monocyclic aryl lower alkyl, monocyclic heterocyclic and monocyclic heterocyclic lower alkyl; and together with the carbon atom to which they are joined P and Q is selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl and monocyclic heterocyclic; which comprises interacting a corresponding steroid of the general formula CHrZ wherein R, R, X, Y, R, Z, P and Q are as above defined, with a compound selected from the group consisting of hydrogen halide and boron trifluoride under substantially anhydrous conditions, and recovering the 6B- halo-5u-hydroxy steroid formed.

13. A process for preparing a steroid of the general formula wherein R is hydrogen; R is p-hydroxy and together R and R is keto; X is halogen; Y is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl; Y is halogen; Z is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy and the acyloxy radical of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid of less than ten carbon atoms; P and Q are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl, halogenated lower alkyl, monocyclic cycloalkyl, monocyclic aryl, monocyclic aryl lower alkyl, monocyclic heterocyclic and monocyclic heterocyclic lower alkyl; and together with the carbon to which they are joined P and Q is selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl and monocyclic heterocyclic; which comprises interacting a corresponding steroid of the general formula wherein R, R, X, Y, Z, P and Q are as hereinbefore defined, and R is selected from the group consisting of -O-(lower alky1ene)-O and two lower alkoxy radicals, with a hydrohalic acid under aqueous conditions and recovering the 6fi-halo-5u-hydroxy steroid formed.

14. 1611,17 oz -isopropy1idene 6u,12a diflUOI'O-lGa-hY- droxyprednisolone.

15. 6a,12a-difiuoro-16a-hydroxyhydrocortisone 16,17- acetophenonide.

17. 6oz,IZu-diflllOIO-lGot-hYdIOXYPIfidHiSOlOHB.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,584,271 Huifman Feb. 5, 1952 2,736,732 Knowles Feb. 28, 1956 2,831,003 Thomas Apr. 15, 1958 2,838,496 Babcock et a1. June 10, 1958 2,838,540 Campbell et a1. June 10, 1958 2,838,542 Spero et a1. June 10, 1958 OTHER REFERENCES Cooley et al.: J. Chem. Soc. (London), December 1955, pp. 4373-4377.

Ellis et al.: J. Chem. Soc. (London), December 1955, 

1. A COMPOUND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF STEROIDS OF THE GENERAL FORMULAE 